2022 Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
EPICUREAN WINERY DINNERS
Guests kicked off the weekend in style with antioxidant-rich food prepared by Northern California’s finest chefs paired with world-class wines from top Sonoma vintners.
EPIC AFTER PARTY ROOF 106
THE MATHESON
Guests enjoyed adventurous cocktails crafted from innovative spirits and seasonal fruits, flowers, and herbs at the newest farm-to-table hotspot on the Healdsburg Square. The Mugnaini wood-fired oven kindles small plates that will spark the palate in outdoor, open-air seating amidst fire-pits that elevate the garden perch.
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
CULINARY ARTISAN SERIES
Guests explored their choice of a fully immersive experience with James Beard Award Winner Charlie Palmer, Sony Artisan of Imagery Andy Katz, Chef-Owner of Valette & The Matheson, Dustin Valette, Publisher of Planet Cheese, Janet Fletcher, Sipsong Spirits Founder Tara Jasper, Olive Oil aficionado Edd Lopez of Trattore Farms, or Pride Mountain Vineyards’ own Stuart Bryan.
EPIC PARTY AT MAYACAMA
Nestled in the hills of Sonoma Valley, with sweeping, panoramic views, the bucolic Mayacama is a perfect setting to celebrate the best of Sonoma, while raising funds for cancer research! The event features some of the world’s most notable Sonoma County vintners, paired with award- winning chefs and a special culinary showcase featuring Mayacama Estate Chef Robert Leva and Pastry Chef Ryan Wells.
Other distinguished chefs include Charlie Palmer, Dustin Valette, Mark Stark, Jaron Dubinsky, Duskie Estes, Thomas Bellec and Dominic Orsini.
THIS IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE EXCLUSIVE TO MAYACAMA MEMBERS AND ATTENDEES OF THE SONOMA EPICUREAN SERIES ONLY.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
WELLNESS BREAKFAST
Guests were treated to a wellness breakfast and panel discussion hosted by James Corwell, certified master chef and chief innovation officer, Ocean Hugger Foods and Cathryn Couch, founder and CEO for Ceres Community Project, who discussed the role of diet and lifestyle in both preventing and treating cancer.
THE STRONGER FOOD CULTURE WE HAVE AS A SOCIETY, THE MORE WE CARE ABOUT THE FOOD EVERYONE EATS. THE BETTER WE EAT, THE LESS DISEASE WE HAVE.
From food related climate challenges, food sustainability, and food trends, Certified Master Chef James Corwell is addressing these issues for the next generation of plant-based foods. In the 35 years at the pinnacle of the epicurean world, Chef James has spent the last decade committed to creating and developing a variety of plant-based products that are sustainable, accessible, and affordable to consumers, food professionals, and businesses alike.
A multi award winning chef, James is one of less than 70 Certified Master Chefs in the United States. As a plant-based entrepreneur James applies his focused expertise to build national and globally scaled enterprises. Passionate about the future trajectory of food and global population James lectures extensively, supports research and product development and wellness projects within public and private sectors.
James Corwell, Certified Master Chef and Chief Innovation Officer, Ocean Hugger Foods
Cathryn Couch, Founder and CEO Ceres Community Project
Couch chairs the California Food is Medicine Coalition, a six-agency collaboration conducting the first statewide medically tailored meal pilot for Medicaid members. Ceres is also one of four agencies currently conducting large-scale randomized control trials for medically tailored meals at Kaiser Permanente. Couch is an advisor to the Aspen Institute’s Food & Society initiative; contributed to the Rockefeller Foundation’s 2020 Reset the Table report, helps lead Hearts of Sonoma County – a collaborative working to reduce heart attacks and strokes; and participates in Marin Food Policy Council, California Food & Farming Network, and the Food Lab at Google.
Couch is a CNN Hero and has been a finalist for The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Community Health Leaders Award, finalist for the James Irvine Leadership Award, and a Red Cross Adult Humanitarian Hero. She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.
EPICUREAN SYMPOSIUM
Scientists and researchers engaged guests in an enlightening discussion on cancer wellness, the need to prevent cancer disparities in minority ethnic groups with higher cancer risk and address breast cancer awareness.
Bill G. Nelson M.D., Ph.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Shruti Naik, Ph.D.
NYU Langone Health
Otis Webb Brawley, M.D. MACP, FRCP(L), FASCO, FACE
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Nancy E. Davidson, M.D.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.”
EPIC FEAST & AUCTION
MONTAGE
The pinnacle event of the Sonoma Epicurean series welcomed guests for a decadent feast prepared by Executive Chef Jaron Dubinsky and paired with exceptional wines from Sonoma County, at the Montage Healdsburg.
Guests participated in a spirited auction, with the opportunity to raise a paddle to help generate critical funding that will benefit our V Foundation researchers as we work together to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
Together, we raised $2.4M in the inaugural year! Proceeds from the event will fund the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
Hosted by ESPN “SportsCenter” Anchor Sage Steele
Emmy Award winning radio & TV personality Liam Mayclem is best known as the host of Eye On The Bay on KPIX 5 and as “The Foodie Chap” celebrating our home grown culinary stars (daily on KCBS Radio). He will soon be seen on the Travel Channel show – “World Access.”
Every year Liam as Foodie Chap hosts the main stage at Eat, Drink SF – a gathering for our food fans. Liam also hosts the culinary stage at Bottlerock Napa Valley, where he made sushi with Chef Morimoto and rapper Snoop Dog, tasted fried chicken made by Hip Hop artist and reality star Flava Flav and enjoyed nitrous cocktails concocted by Chef Dominique Crenn.
The Foodie Chap can also be seen hosting “Plated” a live chef demo series and various cellar events at Macy’s Union Square with culinary stars. Liam hosts an annual Foodie Cruise with Crystal Cruises taking his foodie followers to places all over: Asia, Europe, The Mediterranean, and beyond.
Featuring Auctioneer Liam Mayclem, Emmy Award-Winning Radio and TV Personality